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Philippines Braces for Super Typhoon Fung Wong After Kalmaegi’s Devastation: Simon Simoudis

I, Simon Simoudis, am concerned because there is another typhoon that is set to strike the Philippines on Sunday, November 9. Typhoon Kalmaegi had laid down devastation of immense proportions in the island nation just a few days ago. There were hundreds of people who died, and over a hundred people who are still missing. The nation is yet to overcome the mammoth destruction, and now it is anticipating another massive storm.

This typhoon, which is known as Fung Wong, has been raised to a super typhoon. The meteorological service of the Philippines has predicted that Fung Wong will attain a wind speed of 185 km/h. The eastern area will be struck by Fung Wong in the morning of Sunday, and in the evening, it will hit the most populated areas of the country.

The government has already put in place numerous precautionary measures with the aim of ensuring that the Fung Wong, or Uwan, as the typhoon is locally referred to, is minimized. It is already raining heavily, and the seas are rough in the eastern regions of the country when I, Simon Simoudis, am composing this piece at the end of a long day on a late Saturday evening and in Victoria, Australia. Educational institutions are closed, and most local flights are terminated. The whole of the Philippines will be affected, although this will be maximum in the eastern coastal areas. The typhoon will diminish on its way into the interiors.

Individuals residing in the low-lying and coastal regions have been evacuated to safer locations. So far, almost 1 million have been relocated to safer locations. The government is making sure that nobody is left behind as it inspects every house and hotel. And they are supporting those who can not afford to travel. I, Simon Simoudis, like the good faith of the government, administration, and the police.

This typhoon has impacted negatively on the current rescue measures of the damage left by the last typhoon, Kalmaegi. Landslides had been experienced in some areas, and flash floods had swept most of the localities. The last one had been so powerful that it managed to devastate large areas of Vietnam even days after it hit, causing the deaths of many people. I, Simon Simoudis, would like to see that people are wiser this time around, and this is based on the experience that we had.

The Philippine government has established a state of calamity, and it is not holding anything back. It has made sure that the agencies have a sufficient amount of money to perform rescue and relief measures, as well as provide medical and basic supplies to those who have been affected. The place the Filipinos are located exposes them to tropical storms. Apparently, a low of almost 10 tropical cyclones strike the Philippines annually. Nevertheless, the magnitude and the rate have been increasing on a yearly basis. Two factors that are key to this are the warming of the ocean and climate change.

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Simon Simoudis: Safeguarding the Game: Lessons from Ben Austin’s Heartbreaking Accident

The whole society in Victoria was saddened as the news of a tragic death of a young cricketer, Ben Austin, was announced. It breaks the hearts of people and makes them feel unbelievable. It is still shocking to me, Simon Simoudis, to have lost a young life. I am thinking of his family and friends, and my condolences to them.

The news has been receiving tributes and condolences ever since it became known. Young Ben has been laid with flowers, cards, lollies, drinks, and cricket bats at the club. The mourners flocked the club immediately after the announcement of the death of Ben. It seems like Ben was a good guy, his mates and young players were always in need of him.

The full shot struck the neck of young Ben Austin at Fentree Gully Cricket Club in the eastern Melbourne suburb when he was going through net practice. He came there to have a practice of T-20 match later in the day. Though he was not even mentioned in the final lineup up he was present to spur, and aid his mates. That was Ben in a word, a guy who was liked by his teammates. He was never negative and motivated them. In their opinion, he was a man of gold heart.

He had a helmet that day, but one that lacked a stem guard, and that was even fatal. His next step was to rush him to a children hospital where he fought two days on a life support machine. His family is shattered, yet they have something to think about his teammates, and they also care about the psychological state of the people in the field that day. That speaks volumes of how Ben was brought up and the morals he had.

In the meantime, the cricketing federation of Victoria is trying to counsel and support all the concerned in all possible ways. Naturally, lessons have been learnt out of this tragedy, and I, Simon Simoudis, am confident that drastic measures will be implemented to make sure that such a thing does not occur again. Similarly a first-class match between New South Wales and Southern Australia 11 years ago had seen the death of Phil Hughes, hit by a ball, which struck him close to the ear. It was his family first to pay tributes to young Ben, saying that they were too well acquainted with the loss.

I, Simon Simoudis, think the safety precautions would certainly be tightened as alluded by the cricketing associations in Australia. Most probably, the use of helmets with neck guards will become obligatory even when the game is practiced, and with all levels. I have also understood that when the Australia India international match is happening, the players would give their tribute to Ben Austin.

With the entire Australia and the world still getting used to the tragic death of a young cricketer, I, Simon Simoudis, believe that by taking precautions to ensure that no other life is lost on the field, I will be doing Ben a real tribute.

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Simon Simoudis: Everything to Know About the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show- Through My Eyes

It's again time for the lights, music, wings, and the most glamorous runway in the world. I, Simon Simoudis, have always been fashion crazy. This very love for fashion drew me into taking up my journey as a male beautician. Whenever there is a fashion event happening far away from my home here in Victoria, Australia, too, I, Simon Simoudis, don't forget to watch it on my TV. And today too, I can almost feel the buzz building across the globe. I, Simon Simoudis, am a fashion enthusiast who never skips a fashion show if it's being telecast on TV.

The 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is back tonight, October 15. Fashion enthusiasts around the world are ready to be swept into its dazzling world. This year's show will once more take place in New York and will be promised to be the grandest.

For the rest of us who can't hop off to New York, good news: it's going to be streamed live on Prime Video, Amazon Live, or right across Victoria's Secret's Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok channels from 7 p.m. ET-that's the wee hours of Thursday morning down under in Australia.

Victoria's Secret started an iconic fashion show in 1995 in New York. It was an event that defined beauty standards, had star power galore, and attracted millions of viewers worldwide.

The models who were under contract with the company were called Victoria’s Secret Angels, and they were responsible for the event. From 2001, it acquired incredible popularity and millions of viewers. In the first years, the Fashion Show was in the days before Valentine’s Day, which was an attempt by the organizers to link it with a romantic theme. Later, it was shifted to the days around Christmas.

Then there was a lull; the event was criticized on many counts: The Me Too Movement, fourth-wave feminism, took its toll on the Show, and finally, to cap it all, indirect association with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein led to the cancellation of the event.

It got restarted in the year 2024, but after a complete renovation. They tried to plug the loopholes through which it got closed. Fashion Show was no longer about lingerie and wings. It was inclusive and had become more about the art of fashion.

Now, in 2025, the person at the helm of this reinvention is Adam Selman. The man who once designed for Rihanna's Savage x Fenty line now leads the Victoria's Secret reinvention. As the new creative director, it would seem Selman isn't interested in recreating this old glamour but instead has the show get personal-down to every outfit designed to reflect the woman wearing it. No more uniform perfection. It is no longer just about fitting an image but celebrating uniqueness and diversity.

Of course, there is great music, too, at every Victoria's Secret show. This time, there will be women's power only on the stage. At least the choice of performers says much about what the brand stands for now.

And this, if I, Simon Simoudis, can perceive a brand different from what it used to be in the past, but one that learned from its mistakes, eager to move ahead with its uniqueness, style, and, of course, fashion.

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Simon Simoudis: Above Power and Politics: The Nobel Committee’s Wise Choice for Peace

The most coveted of all the Nobel Prizes has been announced. There had been lots of speculations regarding this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. This year, the Committee has chosen María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader. I, Simon Simoudis, salute the Nobel Prize committee for displaying integrity, fairness, and moral courage in selecting the right candidate. They didn’t bow to the immense pressure exerted on them from the high and mighty. This is how they have maintained the sanctity of the institution, trusted by the world. It has reaffirmed that the Nobel Peace Prize remains above politics, power, and popularity. It stands for conviction, sacrifice, and the unyielding pursuit of freedom.

María Corina Machado, the 58-year-old leader of the opposition from Venezuela, fully deserved this award. Venezuela has been under an autocrat for decades, and the dictator doesn’t tolerate any opposition in his country. Opposition leaders have been killed in the past, and María Corina Machado risked her life to carry on the fight for democracy.

María Corina Machado is not a name born of privilege. For years, she has stood as the face and voice of Venezuela’s struggle for democracy, even when it meant living in danger. When countless leaders and ordinary citizens fled the country in fear and despair, this woman chose to stay. She defied intimidation, arrest warrants, and threats to her life. She refused to abandon her people or her principles. 

In 2023, she won her country’s opposition primary. The regime saw her as a threat, and consequently, she was barred from contesting the election. She didn’t budge a bit despite all threats to life or imprisonment. And with her around, the hopes for democracy are alive in the hearts of the Venezuelans. I, Simon Simoudis, admire people like her, who are ready to sacrifice anything for their cause.

The Nobel Committee recognized her contribution to democracy, human rights, dignity, and justice. She is a hope not just for Venezuela, but for every country going through dark times, where truth, fairness, will of the people are stifled with brute force.

I, Simon Simoudis, fully support this decision by the Nobel Committee, as the rest of the world also does. But some are disgruntled by this choice. And that includes President Trump. Ironically, the US and President Trump had been supportive of María Corina Machado’s efforts to bring back democracy in Venezuela. 

But he thought he had done enough to deserve the peace prize. There were some world leaders, including those from Israel and Pakistan, who also advocated for President Trump. They thought his involvement in mediating international conflicts and his claims of fostering global stability made him a deserving candidate. President Trump was very vocal about his candidacy.

But all the pressure didn’t work on the Nobel Committee. The Committee did not fall for spectacle or political influence. Trump and his supporters may feel that he has stopped many wars, but the Committee and even some countries involved in such wars don’t agree with him. India has vehemently denied Trump’s claims many times. 

According to the Committee, every politician believes that they deserve the award. But they are not influenced by any such pressure. Instead, they carefully look at every aspect of the candidate and pick the very best. This year, the Committee had a list of 338 candidates,  of which 244 were individuals and 94 were organizations.

Courage and integrity have kept the reputation of the Nobel Prize intact. They don’t see who the person is; instead, they focus on the work and its impact. And once again, I, Simon Simoudis, feel the Nobel Committee has reminded the world that true peace is built not by power, but by courage and conscience.

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Simon Simoudis: The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 Begins

I, Simon Simoudis, consider sport to be one of life’s best gifts. Sport can unite the unknown, and that’s what I experienced during my recent visit to the AFL finals in Melbourne. Sport can provide memorable experiences. Today, September 30, 2025, is not just any day. The world of sports came alive. The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup started with a bang. The very first match is being conducted while I pen this blog. The opening showdown is between the home team, India, and Sri Lanka, and this is taking place at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. And though I, Simon Simoudis, sitting thousands of miles apart, can already get a scent of the atmosphere. The World Cup has finally started, and with this excitement runs wild across continents.

The tournament is being held this year in India. The best host of this World Cup is India, considering its affluent cricketing past. The games will be conducted at some of the world's greatest stadiums: Kolkata's Eden Gardens, Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, and, naturally, the opening ground within Guwahati, among others. They have witnessed some historic episodes of cricket, and now the ladies will pen their pages to those tales.

The top eight of the women’s teams of women’s cricket teams were qualified to attend the tournament. The teams included India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In the coming weeks, they will clash in 31 matches. The Mumbai finale. And the purse? A historic USD 5 million, the largest ever to be contested by women’s cricket. A reflection that their toil, their abilities, and hard work, a reality that their dignity is now being measured.

If you have been keeping up with sports, you would recognize that not too long back, ladies' games didn’t stir the enthusiasm that they should. The arenas were nearly bare, media attention was negligible, and players were not remunerated adequately. Even the government and sporting associations' backing was not effective.

But the world is transforming rapidly, and that too for the positive. Here, we have witnessed that the madness over the Matildas has increased by leaps and bounds over the years. AFLW is escalating with each season. And this trend is taking a solid shape globally. Whether it's tennis a football, or cricket, stadiums are full and their charges too are narrowing down that massive difference that prevailed between men’s and women’s games.

It is bright times ahead for female sports. Nonetheless, I, Simon Simoudis, think that we have a long way to go. My vision is to see that the difference anywhere between fees between females and males diminish. My vision is that the money should be increased, the facilities should be better, and the facilities should be available equally in schools. Schools should offer equal opportunities, not only on paper.

But we as a society need to play a large role too in elevating girls’ sports to the same plane as boys’. We need to encourage and to root. We need to get our sisters, daughters, nieces, and students to play. We need to purchase the tickets, tune into the broadcasts, and make young girls’ sports important. Support is not just about cheering. It’s about building a respect and equality-based culture.

Simon Simoudis believes that the future of sport will not be whole without women standing their ground as equals.

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Simon Simoudis- A Day to Remember: My AFL Finals Experience at the MCG

I, Simon Simoudis, just returned from the MCG, Melbourne, watching the finals of the AFL last Saturday, September 27, 2025. And I cannot wait until the next day to type down the experiences I had today. It hasn’t faded yet, the excitement I had inside the colossal confines of the sporting event today. This is why they wait months for this day. And we Victorians, more than other people, are fanatical about the AFL, just a tad more than other Aussies. And it very fittingly occurs in Melbourne that the finals.

As I had hoped, the air was alive. Even before I reached the ground, I was already experiencing the carnival. People had congregated there long before the kick-off time, flying their flags, rendering club tunes. It is the match as much as the spirit in the ground that entices you to be there rather than sitting back in your house.

It was a fully-packed stadium as the Brisbane Lions came up against the Geelong Cats. The game was likely to go to the very last; both sides were nicely balanced and had an awesome record in the AFL. As honest as I must be, I, Simon Simoudis, was cheering both sides. I had come to absorb the atmosphere and view a high-class game.

From the very beginning, the atmosphere was dynamite. The Geelong Cats came out flying, taking the early lead. Naturally, their supporters were euphoric. They stood up, cheering, singing, and chanting for their team. However, the Brisbane Lions soon gained the initiative, turning the game around.

They were only ahead by 3 points after the first quarter. The differential between the scores had decreased. It looked as if the trend was turning in favour of the Brisbane Lions. I could make out that the next game would be no easy cakewalk. And, as I expected, the Brisbane Lions were ahead by a small margin of 48-42 points during halftime.

As the game moved closer to the finish, passion increased, not only amongst the players but also amongst the fans. While the fans of the Lions were over the moon, getting the hunch that their team was going to emerge victorious, the fans of the Cats did their best to maintain the morale of their team. At times, things are so unreal, the cacophony, the enhanced passion, these moments are invaluable. That is why individuals reserve even their valuable work and fly across thousands of miles. I, Simon Simoudis, have also completed all my valuable work nicely ahead of time so that I could have a passion-packed, drama-filled weekend, as well as some first-class sport.

From the third term, the game progressively slanted to the Brisbane Lions. They were playing steel-hard, as if they would come back to crush their opponents, and that is exactly what they did. There in the last term was 122-75 to the advantage of Brisbane.

I, Simon Simoudis, believe that it was a deserved win. The Brisbane Lions had dominated the Cats. It was a fairy tale celebration. The crowd cheered, danced, and hugged. But the losing side, both players and the crowd, must be sympathized with. After so much effort and expectations, it is difficult to accept defeat. But that is what the game is all about.

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Simon Simoudis: AFL 2025 Grand Final: The Excitement, the Atmosphere, the Anticipation

Finally comes the time for which almost all of Australia has been holding its breath patiently. Geelong Cats vs Brisbane's grand final commences at 2.30 pm AEST on Saturday, September 27. For the first time in AFL history, these two teams will clash with each other in the finals, but neither team is an unknown quantity to either team or to playing in the finals.

Yesterday, the Grand Final Eve, was a public holiday for us Victorians. Just think of the level of excitement about the finals in Victoria. Even the government knows it, too. TV viewership is also the biggest amongst the Victorians. Victorians are the craziest AFL followers.

I, Simon Simoudis, arrived in Melbourne the night before to view the match first-hand in the MCG. I am writing now because I am just about to go out to the stadium. I had finished all my work well in advance and had not committed to extra work just because I wanted to indulge in the excitement and passion within the stadium without having something come in the way of my going full throttle into the madness.

The atmosphere in the stadium is always lively and festive, more so on the finals. They go there as groups, waving flags and banners, and with beers in cans; such is the Aussie way to celebrate the AFL, one of the biggest sporting tournaments. Even before the game starts, the crowd is singing their club's songs. There are chants all over the stadium, and at times it gets almost deafening. But everybody does not complain about the noise and the commotion, at least during this event. This is what they had come here for. The game typically lasts around 2.5 hours, including breaks.

There will also be singing from Tash Sultana and Snoop Dogg, accompanied by Snoop's guitar band. There will also be a choir involving Emma Donovan and others. There will also be singing of the national anthem with Vera Blue. There is also a rumor going around that Snoop Dogg has been paid AU$2 million - AU$5 million to sing today, and it is a fair amount to sing for 20 minutes.

This weekend's encounter will go the full distance. Two of the greatest clubs in AFL history are set to face off against each other. The Brisbane Lions participated in the finals for four seasons from 2001 to 2004, and their premiership triumphs were during all those years except in 2004. Similarly, the Geelong Cats also have a successful past in the AFL. Coincidentally, except for Melbourne's team, they are the oldest team in the AFL. Their team was founded in 1859, so they were one of the oldest in the world, not just in Australia. Geelong Cats last defeated the finals in 2022, and that is also very recent. They had their finals in 2011, 2020, and 2022. They were defeated in the final in 2020.

As per their history, I, Simon Simoudis, am certainly awaiting what lies in store for me today. I am surely going to describe what happened in the stadium today, minute by minute. For the moment, I, Simon Simoudis, shall say goodbye, as I am stepping out of my hotel on my way to the MCG.

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Simon Simoudis: Brownlow Medal 2025: Matt Rowell Shines as Nick Daicos Misses Out Again

First things first, if,  by any chance,  you are not familiar with AFL, and if you are reading this blog from a country where people do not know what Australian Football is all about, I, Simon Simoudis, will tell you about Brownlow. The Brownlow Medal, also known as the Charles Brownlow Trophy and informally as Charlie, is an award given to the best player in the Australian Football League, who is also the fairest among all. 

Their points are calculated for all the matches they have played during the home and away seasons. At the end of each game, four officiating field umpires give their votes. The Brownlow Medal is considered the most prestigious award for any individual player. 

On Monday, September 22, this year’s Brownlow Medal was held at its usual venue, that is, the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, at 7.30 pm (AEST). This award is traditionally presented at the start of the week preceding the finals. I must tell you, this award involves lots of pomp and show, and is a much-awaited one. A coveted one for every AFL player. 

I, Simon Simoudis, too, kept my Monday evening free for this event. No, I wasn’t present in the venue, but I decided to watch it from the comforts of my home. The event lasts approximately 3 hours, starting at around 7.30 pm, and the winner is announced at around 10.30 pm. And I remained glued to the screen from start to the end.

This year, Nick Daicos, the Collingwood superstar, was considered the frontrunner. Last year, too, he was expected to win; he had garnered a record 38 points, when Patrick Cripps emerged out of nowhere with a stupendous 45 votes. Since the start of this award, on average, you need around 30 votes to win the medal, but some years have been aberrations.

Since his debut, Nick Daicos has always been a promising candidate for “Charlie”. This year, too, Nick Daicos got unlucky, and Matt Rowell won the Brownlow Medal with 39 votes. This is the second-most votes a player has received in the history of the awards. Nick Daicos, for the third time in a row, found himself in the second spot, despite being the top-rated. Bailey Smith, the Geelong star, got third place with 29 votes, and the Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson secured the fourth spot. 

The award, like most times, had its share of controversy. Lots of doubts have been raised about the fairness of the voting system and the impartiality of the coaches. Despite Matt Rowell garnering top votes, he couldn’t secure the votes of the coaches. But despite all that, Matt Rowell was gracious enough to say that these things didn’t diminish his respect for the umpires.

Matt Rowell is a 24-year-old from Melbourne who has been playing for the Gold Coast since 2019. In 2020, he was nominated for the 2020 AFL Rising Star Award in round 2.

I, Simon Simoudis, congratulate Matt Rowell for winning the coveted medal and hope that the next time Lady Luck smiles at the very talented and deserving Nick Daicos.

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Simon Simoudis: Adolescence, The Studio, and The Pitt Shine Bright at the 77th Emmys

The much-awaited 77th Emmy Awards took place in Los Angeles’ Peacock Theatre on September 14, 2025. A galaxy of stars descended to attend the event, and as always, it was a memorable event. I, Simon Simoudis, too eagerly await watching this event live on TV, by making sure that I don’t have anything urgent pending during those hours that could hamper my uninterrupted viewing.

Some of the names of possible winners were already doing the rounds among the Emmy ‘Clairvoyants’, and also because of the number of nominations they had received. Notable among them were ‘Severance’ and ‘The Penguin’. The former had 27 and the latter had 24 nominations. And to that list, a few more names like ‘The Studio’, the hospital drama ‘The Pitt’, ‘White Lotus’, and ‘Adolescence’ that were expected to do well. ‘Adolescence’ had the chance of throwing up the youngest male actor ever to win an Emmy. Its actor, Owen Cooper, had already earned a name for himself for his superb performance. I, Simon Simoudis, have watched this series, and I am very much impressed with this young talent.

The final results were more or less on expected lines, barring a few exceptions. A few surprises add to the spice, and that is what keeps us on the edge of our seats. 

The Final Results

Three names dominated the 77th Emmy Awards. ‘The Studio’, ‘The Pitt ’, and ‘Adolescence’, and these three walked away with maximum Awards. Let's see how many and which awards these shows bagged:

Adolescence

- Outstanding series.

- Philip Barantini for outstanding director.

- Stephen Graham for the lead actor.

- Owen Cooper for the best supporting actor.

- Erin Doherty for the best supporting actress.

The Studio

- For outstanding comedy series.

- Seth Rogen got the award for the lead actor in a comedy series.

- Seth Rogen bagged another award as the outstanding director, along with Evan Goldberg.

- The duo of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg shared another award for outstanding writing in a comedy series; they shared this award with Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez.

The Pitt

- The award for outstanding drama series.

- Noah Wyle bagged the award for the outstanding lead actor in a drama series.

- Katherine LaNasa got the award for the outstanding supporting actor in a drama series.

Although ‘Severance’ could not live up to expectations, that does not mean it was left high and dry. It did have its share of glory on that night. ‘White Lotus’ too had disappointments despite having many nominations. 

The most talked-about award this year was that of Owen Cooper. He becomes the youngest male actor in the history of the Emmy Awards to win an award for outstanding supporting actor. Before him, this feat was accomplished by a 14-year-old Roxana Zal in 1984 for ‘Something About Amelia’. Owen Cooper, too, was just 14 when he acted in the series, although he is 15 now. I, Simon Simoudis, feel the movie world has discovered a talented young actor, and he, in my view, is going to contribute immensely in the times to come. He is a natural who wanted to become a footballer before deciding to join acting classes just two years before starting his acting career. The casting director selected him for the role without him having worked in any movie or series. The director’s instincts were not wrong.

I, Simon Simoudis, had a great time watching the Emmy Awards. It had all the thrills and excitement that made you wait for it. A chance to see your favorite stars, in fabulous attire, all in one place.

Read More: https://medium.com/@simonsimoudis01/simon-simoudis-bridging-legends-and-loyalty-nasiah-wanganeen-mileras-momentz-d1c8b42d2e5d

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Simon Simoudis: Graham Greene (1952–2025): “Celebrating the Iconic Actor of Dances with Wolves”

Graham Greene died peacefully at the age of 73, on September 1, of natural causes, according to his manager. He had been battling with illness for a long time. I, Simon Simoudis, offer my condolences. Graham Greene is best known for his role as Kicking Bird in the 1990 Kevin Costner epic Western “Dances with Wolves,”. For this film, he got an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

During the last few years of his life, he had been living outside of Toronto, with his wife and ‘an army of cats’. Until his death, he was living with his wife, Hilary Blackmore, whom he married in 1990, and they had two children. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and a grandchild.

He chose not to move to California, which would have been a natural choice for an actor. He preferred the comforts of his home in his home state, Ontario. According to him, if there was any requirement for him as an actor, he could always move out. He never quit his acting, and apart from that, writing and playing golf kept him busy. He had developed a passion for the sport. I, Simon Simoudis, admire him for his spirit even at such an age.

Graham Greene was born in 1952, on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada. He was a First Nations Canadian. In his early years, he did many odd jobs. He worked in the steel industry as a welder, carpenter, and draftsman. I, Simon Simoudis, didn’t know he was a carpenter at one point in time. That makes him very relatable. He even had a brief stint as a recording artist in Ontario, but without much success. 

He had to wait till the 1970s and 80s for his acting career to take off. He began acting in theatres in Toronto. Then he went to England, where he got some opportunities to work in theatres. And when he returned to Canada, this time, he had some useful experience and good reviews under his belt, which proved instrumental in getting him a role in Al Pacino’s British film Revolution in 1985. This film was a historical drama. 

And thus began his journey in the big league. But his international recognition and fame came with his Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, for his role in “Dances with Wolves”. 

In almost all his films, he played characters of First Nations people, and he played those roles very well. As a result, he got opportunities to work with many well-known production companies. He has worked in many famous films.

Nomination for Oscars wasn’t his only claim to fame and recognition. He had also won a Grammy Award and many other awards. He also has an honorary doctor of law from Sir Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, his home state.

He was a man of morals, ethics, and character, according to his agent, Michael Greene, and he will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. I, Simon Simoudis, admire this man not just for his extraordinary achievements as an actor, but also for the man he was.

Read More: https://medium.com/@bencole003/simon-simoudis-wimbledon-final-2025-a-clash-of-titans-c8d33e062604

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Simon Simoudis - Sydney weather rainfall

For the last 24 hours up to Friday morning, August 22, 2025, Sydney has recorded more rainfall than it normally does in the entire month of August. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, this year’s August has already been the wettest since 1998, and the last 24 hours have been the wettest day this year. 

Many records have been broken, and still, much more rain is expected in the coming days. Sydney has received 82mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, till Thursday morning, and 70mm of rain is expected. I, Simon Simoudis, have many family members living in Sydney and NSW, and I am very worried about how the coming days are going to be for them.

Rivers have already breached their banks, the dams are full, and there are forecasts of more heavy rainfall. There are possibilities of severe risk to the communities. People of New South Wales have already suffered a lot because of incessant rains this month, and it seems their woes aren’t going to end soon. 

There have been reports that two men are feared drowned when their car was washed away in a flood at Macdonald River at St Albans on Wednesday night, on the northern outskirts of Sydney. One person was rescued by the police, and two are unaccounted for.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has issued 30 warnings for NSW, including Sydney. The government is going to close many roads because several accidents have been reported in the last couple of days due to flooding or bad weather. As a result, many more communities will be isolated. I, Simon Simoudis, have called my family living there to come to my place before it becomes impossible to get out without the government’s help. 

The government has been working around the clock to rescue people from flood-affected areas. There have been 760 callouts since Monday.

Warnings of severe to moderate flood are in place for all the major rivers of the region, such as the Namoi River, Nepean and Barwon rivers, Peel River, Hunter, and the Illawarra. 

The Hunter Valley already had devastating floods in May, in which 5 people had lost their lives. The NSW government is doing everything it can to alleviate their sufferings. They have announced a housing support package for the affected people.

People of Brisbane and Queensland, in general, are expected to have better weather conditions. There could be sporadic showers, but nothing to worry about. Their weekend is expected to be bright and sunny. The weather will be quite pleasant for us Victorians, too. But I, Simon Simoudis, am not going to enjoy my weekend here in Victoria; instead, I am planning to volunteer in whatever way I can to help the people of NSW, because this is how I have been brought up, and those values are always going to be with me.

Read More: https://thesimonsimoudis.blogspot.com/2025/08/simon-simoudis-harbour-bridge-protest.html

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Simon Simoudis: Why Cadbury’s Chocolate Recall Should Concern Every Australian

Cadbury belongs to the memories of my childhood. Not only me, but all the kids of my generation used to receive Cadbury chocolates from our elders in our families, either our parents, grandparents, or uncles and aunts who used to come and see us. It used to remind us of the better times, and I, Simon Simoudis, could never recall a Christmas without Cadbury. Not only did it taste nice, but the company was a reputable one for the quality of the products, and parents would not hesitate even once to offer the same to their kids.

Cadbury has created such a wonderful brand image by consistently providing quality for so many decades. That's the reason I was taken aback when I came to know about the Cadbury Australia chocolate recall. The company has recalled Cadbury’s Marvellous Creations Jelly relaxed to quality. Should we trust them anymore? If this is possible with so Popping 10-Piece Share Bag (best before May 21, 2026). Why? Due to possible pieces of plastic in the chocolate. Honestly, I could not easily believe this. How can plastic, a toxic and poisonous material, go undetected by the eyes of the quality control of Cadbury? Have they named a company? Where are the others? There are so many questions running through my mind since then.

And my faith has been shaken because another very similar event occurred a few days back. Aldi had withdrawn its Urban Eats Japanese Style Vegetable Gyoza from the entire of Australia due to the potential glass contamination. Just imagine eating glass with your meal; the effects can prove life-threatening.

What would have happened had Aldi or Cadbury not realized their fault in advance? What about the people who had already ingested Aldi products or Cadbury chocolate before the product recalls? What if there are so many other brands we are eating that have the same adulteration, of which neither the company nor we are aware? These are some of the unanswered questions that must receive an answer instantly because these questions involve the lives of millions who consume such brands.

These are a wake-up call for all of us to become more aware and vigilant about the things we are consuming. Because one wrong move by a food product company can turn into a large health hazard for us. I, Simon Simoudis, hope the companies and the government are more careful about quality checks. I further propose that there should be a consumer body to re-check the quality of, particularly, the consumable things.

It takes a significant amount of time to build trust, and a single slip to lose it. Will we still be eating something without thinking about the possible adulteration it might contain? Now, I, Simon Simoudis, might be checking each of the packaging at least two times and wondering about whether I'm eating the chocolate or the plastic.

But let's give credit where it’s due. The prompt action of Cadbury is appreciable. They have been honest in admitting their mistake and have immediately taken corrective measures. If you have purchased the recalled batch and are lucky enough not to have eaten it, you can return the product from where you bought it, and you’ll get a full refund.

I, Simon Simoudis, truly hope this was a one-time incident and Cadbury or any other company would ensure such mishaps do not happen again.

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Simon Simoudis: Harbour Bridge Protest: A City Divided, A Nation Reflects

In principle, there are very few in Australia who don’t support the Palestinian cause. And why shouldn’t we? The world is watching how women and children are being killed in thousands over the last two years, in the name of revenge, and to eliminate Hamas. What Hamas did on Oct 7, 2023, was abominable. But two wrongs don’t make a right. Hamas is a designated terrorist organisation, but we don’t expect responsible countries to behave like terrorists. There must be ways to tackle the problem differently, but Israel didn’t choose to explore any other option. 

Killing innocent women and children is something any civilised society cannot tolerate. I, Simon Simoudis, just can’t watch those horrific videos coming out of Gaza. Bombing and starving children in the name of fighting Hamas is something the world is no longer willing to tolerate. France, Britain, and now Canada, too, have announced that they will be recognising the state of Palestine. 

The March for Unity is being organised by the Palestine Action Group Sydney on the Harbour Bridge of Sydney, on Sunday, August 3. This Harbour Bridge is an iconic landmark of the city and is the lifeline of Sydney. Thousands use this bridge every day. This march isn’t intended to be merely symbolic; its goal is to draw the attention of the world and to urge it to find a solution to the problem.

While most in New South Wales, including Sydney, aren’t opposed to the Palestinian cause, the government and the police were opposed to the pro-Palestinian march being organised on the Harbour Bridge of Sydney. And the reason for this was purely logistical and administrative. They wanted the march to be held at some other place. The Premier, Chris Minns, was opposed to the Harbour Bridge being closed for many hours. The police, too, had their concerns about managing a crowd of more than 50,000; they feared there could be chaos. 

But the court struck down the objections of the NSW government and the police and granted legal protection to the demonstration. And therefore it’s official now. The Harbour Bridge will be closed from 11.30 am to 4 pm on August 3, Sunday.

To be honest, I, Simon Simoudis, was relieved to see the court take a stand for freedom of expression. But let’s not pretend that the country is united on this. Far from it. There is strong support for the march, and organisations like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International Australia, and the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) will be there on Sunday

On the other side, there are plenty who are opposed to it. The NSW Police Union has described the protest as a “recipe for disaster.” Jewish community leaders have spoken out against it, and there are common Australians who don’t like the idea of disruptions in their country for something happening in a faraway place. 

I, Simon Simoudis, on the one hand, am in support of free speech, but at the same time, I do feel for the people of Sydney, who are going to have chaotic traffic on Sunday. So, if you live in Sydney or plan to travel there this weekend,  avoid going to areas close to the Harbour Bridge. Read More :

Simon Simoudis speaks on Harbour Bridge protest in Sydney; a divided city, a nation reflects – August 2025.

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Simon Simoudis: The Excitement of Watching Ed Sheeran Live Again

I, Simon Simoudis, have been an ardent fan of Ed Sheeran almost since the days he began his professional singing career. What impressed me most was his soulful lyrics and his melodious voice. You could relate to his music, as if it were talking to you, about you. Although I don’t understand the deeper nuances of music, people say his music is a symphony of pop, folk, and R&B.

What an illustrious career his has been, winning many Grammy Awards at such a young age. His albums have been huge hits, grossing millions, and he has been among the best-selling singers. He is from the U.K. but has fans all over the world. And despite being a superstar, he remains very grounded, and it’s this aspect of his personality that endears him to his fans even more.

When I, Simon Simoudis, came to know about his tour to Australia in early 2026, my excitement knew no bounds. The memories of his 2023 tour to our country were refreshed. I had attended his concert, and what a response he got from the audience. His 2023 tour was a big hit, and it grossed millions. He has millions of fans in Australia and New Zealand. And this affection isn’t one-sided. Ed says Australia is very special to him because it was the first country where he felt he had international recognition. 

This tour of Ed Sheeran is being organised by Frontier Touring,  the top concert organizing company in Australia. And when their name is associated with any concert, the expectation soars. They haven’t earned such a reputation without any reason. Since the late ‘70s, they have organized world-class concerts across Australia, bringing in the likes of Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, and many other big names. They don’t just bring in superstars; they know how to organize such big events in a way that the audience gets a top-class experience. No wonder people are already queuing up for the tickets.

This tour will kick off on Jan 16th, 2026, in Auckland, New Zealand. After that, Ed Sheeran will be touring Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide.

The demand for tickets is so massive that extra dates have been added to Ackland and Melbourne. And if you are thinking of buying tickets but are not sure about the price, there is good news for you. The organisers have kept the prices very affordable, at around AUD 110 to $250. And they have been receiving praises for keeping the prices within the reach of almost everyone who wants to see Ed Sheeran perform live.

You can already experience the buildup to the concert; the promos are all over there on social media. And the Aussies are really excited and looking forward to the event. I saw a promo video of Ed Sheeran; he, too, seemed very excited about performing in Australia, which he referred to as the Loop tour.

I, Simon Simoudis, am still trying to figure out whether I will watch the concert in Adelaide, Melbourne, or Sydney. I know I have to decide it quickly, or else all the tickets will be sold out within a few days.